Movies-TV

Soldiers Girl

This DVD has to be a bootleg, as the bonus features do not open up, therefore the main reason that I bought this title is null and void. The only good thing about this DVD was the movie, which is very moving and tragic, especially for a soldier who served her country with pride.

The complex story of a simple love

Soldier's Girl, was a very well done film. The production quality was good, sound quality was good and the acting was great.

I was drawn in and could believe the story as it unfolded. It was a tragic story and what was the hardest part is it was a true story. I wish it had been fiction. This is a worthy investment and an excellant tool to open eyes or widen minds. Buy this film and be as impressed as I was. You also may want " The Laramie Project" about the killing of Matt Sheppard. Also a True Story. Get ready to get MAD.

dramatic, sensational, and, sadly, true

i'd call this movie over dramatic and sensationalistic if it weren't for the fact that it is based on a true story of a soldier falling in love with a transsexual woman and the tragedy that ensues when his fellow soldiers find out about his relationship. i felt this film did an excellent job of making the distinction between gender and sexual orrientation as well as acknowleging how they are entertwined. i also appreciated that this was not made as an "activist" film but rather a beautiful and tragic love story.

One of the Most emotional films I have see to Date

This movie was a very emotional one for me to see, I have seen it three times and would watch it a hundred more. It was very heart felt, and I learned a lot from it. I would recommend it to almost everyone that I know.

PURE LOVE

THIS FILM IS ONE OF THE MOST HEART TOUCHING GAY FILM I'VE EVER SEEN... TRULLY PHENOMENAL! ACTORS POTRAYED THE CHARACTERS REALLY WELL/VERY NATURAL... BEING A TRANSGENDER MYSELF I CAN TRULLY RELATE- I FELT IT... WE NEED MORE OF THIS KIND OF MOVIE TO OPEN UP EVERYONE'S MIND THAT LOVE HAS NO BOUNDARIES AND UNCONDITIONAL... I RECOMMEND THIS FILM TO ANYONE- IT'S AN A+/ *****(5STARS) TO CALPERNIA- MORE POWER GURL AND GOD BLESS~ TO BARRY'S FAMILY- GOD BLESS... ((((((HUGS))))))

A beautiful love story.

This is a film that will challenge your definition of gender and redefine the meaning of love.
The true life story of Calpernia Addams and her successful yet tragic relationship with the
soldier who fell in love with her, Barry Winchell. First , this is one of the best films I have ever
seen. Originally made for HBO it could easily have made the big screen. Frank Pierson directs with a gentle hand and delivers poetry to vehicle that could have been awkward in
anothers hands. Ron Nyswaner's script is sharp and deep so Pierson is well backed. The cast is killer . Troy Garity delivers a surprisingly subtle portrayal of the soldier Barry
Winchell. Barry is not an intellectual but far more emotionally intelligent than those around
him. He falls in love with an exotic transsexual dancer Calpernia Addams for all the reasons
a man usually does for any woman. She is smart , beautiful and underneath the dancers
facade a true woman who yearns for someone to care for.Lee Pace who plays Calpernia faced a huge challenge in that he really is a man but he is so
powerful an actor that it takes only moments to convince you the heart of this character is
truly a woman's. A classically trained actor Pace finds a way to give Calpernia both the
accurate movement of a woman yet the fragile heart of a romantic in danger . I hope that
Paces future is not stunted by this role because after delivering this kind of performance it
will be really hard to top it. Pace manifests Calpernia so well it defies his physical reality .
That feat is beyond most Hollywood actors period. Added to the mix is the macho soldier named Justin Fisher who befriends Barry only to
become the cause of his demise. . A hardcore soldier who drugs himself to keep up with the
demands of being the best of the best Fisher is himself both a homophobe , jealous
competitor for Barry's attention and dangerously loose cannon . Played by Shawn Hatosy the
performance is pretty stunning. I swear I have known guys like this in my life. Shawn delivers
Fisher with incredible rawness and realism. A macho redneck with disturbing secrets. You will
hate Fisher and yet pity how pathetic he is as a human being he is . Brilliant work. Very rare.
Hatosy gives a perfect delivery. Last is the new arrival Calvin Glover , a wet behind the ears soldier that Fisher easily dupes
into carrying out his vengeance against Barry. Played by Philip Eddolls the team of Fisher and
Glover fits perfectly . Fisher the power to dominate and Glover his easily manipulated puppet.
Too stupid to even grasp the seriousness of his crime Glover is someone you will recognize .
Eddolls doesn't hold back anything in trying to give us Glovers small man complex. If you are homophobic at all you will probably not like this movie but if you believe that love
transcends the physical genders we are given you will be moved. Despite finding this DVD in
the "gay " section of Amazon.com this is truly love story between a man and a woman. Well
worth watching. A+

Truthful Oversight on Homosexuals in the Military

This movie is an eyeopener for all people gay or straight. The contents of the movie lets people understand the difficulties homoxesual people go through in life, not only with possibly denying who they really are, but also with the worries of being accepted by their peers. It shows that ignorance is amongst all people rather it be in the military or not. As a homosexual in the military this film helped me realize that being open can cause a lot of emotional and physical pain, however nobody should be scared to live a life that they feel is right. My mother has watched this film with me and agrees that it is difficult to understand why people can be so hateful to others just because they don't like the same things that we do.
This film will open the eyes of anybody straight or gay that has any questions about the difficulties of being a homosexual in the military. The possibilities are hard, but the truth can be even harder.

One of the Most Heart Wrenching Movie's I've Ever Seen

Few movies really, I mean REALLY, touch my heart! This movie, though short, was well acted, well written, and down right phenomenal with its content. I challenge you to have a "dry eye" by the end of the movie. I cannot imagine the incredible loss Barry's family and Calpurnia must have felt during the period of Barry's death; it had to be mind-boggling at most. From the beginning of the movie until the end, I felt like I knew Barry and Calpurnia personally. I am soooooooooo glad that the DVD will be released next month. It will be one that I can't wait to add to my library. I not only recommend this movie to you, but I implore you to ponder its delicate content, and you will find it absolutely inspiring. Watch and enjoy!

Awesome Movie Junk DVD Production

I originally saw this movie on Showtime and loved it. So of course when I found a palce that actually carried the DVD I was excited to purchase it. I recieved it only to find there was no menu and NONE of the special features that are advertised on the back cover of the DVD case were there. I was EXTREMELY dissapointed, I returned it and got a replacement and THAT DVD didn't have them either!! I was appalled.

Absolutely Amazing

heartfelt, crying, love.

I LOVE this movie, def worth the money, amazing period.

Some justice for Barry

I have never reviewed a movie before until I watched Soldier's Girl. This is an absolutely beautiful film, virtuously retold by wonderful young actors who have obviously been inspired to do justice to the truth.

Here is a true story about Barry Winchell, a young soldier from the heartland and fresh out of basic training setting out somewhat hesitantly into dangerous sexual territory. And what danger there is in wait for this man! His military leaders and comrades have made life on base for him, or for anyone awakening to gay feelings, a living hell. It's a wonder that he didn't snap from the constant drumming hostility and it's really a testament to his bravery and maturity that he withstood that humiliating barrage without complaining.

Troy Garity's performance as Barry is, I think, Oscar worthy and Lee Pace is completely convincing as the transgendered club performer Calpurnia Addams. Sean Hatosy plays the manipulative Pvt Fisher as a kind of "Iago" character so well that I didn't realize until later how seamless his performance is. And the young actor who plays Barry's killer really captures the feeble-minded brutishness of Pvt Glover to perfection. I really must hand it to Showtime for hiring Frank Pierson and all these incredible actors to portray this still fresh tragedy with such courage.

The DVD version which I bought has some great interviews with the actors and some of the actual persons that helps fill out the total story. I recommend this film to anyone in general and specifically to any young man gay or gay-curious who might be thinking of joining the military.

SPOILER BEST MOVIE BASED ON REAL LIFE EVER MADE !!!!

FIRST OFF REMEMBER PFC BARRY WINCHELL 1977-1999I Have Never Seen A Movie So Well Made .... I Cant Express The Pain You will feel for the actual people this happened to MS ADDAMS PFC Winchell and his friends and familyThe love shared between two people should never be laughed upon In This movie it shows how the "Dont ask Dont tell" policy is bull**** and doesnt workI say this with pride s***** the armed forces policy on this issue i wish i would have known about this happening well before I enlisted Because GOD HIMSELF could not have made me enlist ......THANK YOU to SHOWTIME and Especially to MS. Addams and PFC Barry Winchell and his FAMILY without them speaking out the TRUTH would not have been toldREST IN PEACE PFC BARRY WINCHELL 1977-1999 YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

Soldier's Girl - Tragic and Touching, Scary

For those of us in the Transgender community this movie would obviously have a very special significance.


The story held my attention in such a manner that on first viewing I could not assess its technical or artistic qualities. So strong are the implications of this story that I am afraid that I could not sit through a second viewing.


Here is a message of significant social worth which should be viewed by every individual living in our modern day civilization.

A sad but triumphant story

This true love story of Calpernia Adams and her boyfriend, is very moving. This movie clearly presents the discrimination,harrassments and consequences of being transgender in a small non-accepting town. Lee Pace provides a very convincing portrayal of Calpernia and Troy Garrity delivers very good as her boyfriend. In the end it shows Calpernia's resolution to move forward in life.

SAD & GRAPHIC

You really feel like the world would be better if Barry was still alive and Calpurnia and he were still a couple. How happy they were! How disgusting of Fisher and Glover to feel worthy enough to rob Barry of his life. I have been to every web page I could find. Wanted photos, any thing I could find. The movie is forever etched in my mind! I wish I could have known them. I am a straight female, never had tendencies or desires to change my sex or be with anyone but a man, But I love this movie and it made me cry! The graphics were incredible. I was shocked. Brain matter on the wall and ceiling! Oh God, have NO mercy for these two murderers who took a wonderful man from our earth!!

Its a "goodie"

Very well done............ The movie pushes some limits but nothing is done to the extreme to make you feel uncomfortable about watching this great movie...........

The most moving cinema experience EVER

I live in the United Kingdom but saw Soldiers Girl on Showtime on a visit to New Jersey earlier this year. I have seen several films that touch on the subject of Transgender relationships ("Different for Girls", "The Crying Game" and "Boys dont cry" to name three) . This one, by far exceeds them all. The film handles the topic in such a compassionate way. I liked the fact that it also explores the Militarys handling of Sexual and Gender issues but manages to keep the two very different subjects seperate and in perspective. No matter what your background, this presentation will make you understand the problems, false stereotypes and misrepresentations facing Transgendered people as well as being entertained by a movie that I haven't come across in many many years. Well done to all that where involved and to you, the reader, BUY IT NOW!

First Class Edutainment, whatever your reason for watching

It's a complete tragedy that this DVD is not being sold in region 2 format in Europe as it would undoubtedly have a massive buying public. I first watched it on Showtime whilst I was visiting friends in New Jersey and was completely blown away by the sensitivity that was given to the subject matter. The characters where 100% believable which is testament to the flawless performance of all those who took part. Someone mentioned that Lee Pace didn't get the voice "right" in another review but this, for me, only hightened the characters believability. Made for Television movies don't always work out because they are low budget and it shows. This movie is worthy of "Blockbuster" status. Not for it's thrills and spills physically, but it's highs and lows psychologically. The soundtrack HAS to be released. I still cry whenever I hear the track that is used to reinforce the final act. This is without doubt a "must see" movie. Showtime - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE release this in Europe on Region 2.

Poignant, powerful adaptation of a true story

I saw this movie the same day that I saw Million Dollar Baby (the boxing film starring Hillary Swank and Clint Eastwood), and at the end all I could think was - is this how I wanted to spend Christmas Eve? Crying?

Well, it was worth it.

Barry's story is well known, so I'll skip a retelling. Although I never fully understood Barry's interest in Calpernia, only because the movie didn't make any attempts to delve into the "why" of his attraction to her, I found myself moved by their love, and Barry's fierce determination to keep his private life (Calpernia) private.

What a shame that he shared barracks with such a horrendous and sick person (Justin). I know some people in the armed forces that are gay (but don't ask me who, because I won't tell ), and they are well accepted by their ... I don't know the technical terms here...comrades in arms. How's that. A pity that Barry didn't get stuck with a person whose problem was certainly far worse than OCD.

Anyway. What I found particularly moving, and what has caused me to watch the movie again, were the special features on the CD. Usually the special features are interesting for ancillary purposes. But these were different. First, I was surprised to find that Calpernia's [...] weren't real. I had been rather convinced that a real transgender was playing her role. Instead, it was a male, with a rather flat chest, so his performance was even more interesting. That's one of the main reasons I want to watch the film again.

Calpernia Adams herself appeared in the Special Features, and I was so surprised. I don't have a tremendous amount of experience with transgenders, but did not expect her to be so much like a lady. NOT a gay man acting like a lady, but a real lady. Her comments on Barry were pointed and poignant. Also, she did have her final operation, and is working now in L.A.

The other appearance of note in the Special Features was that of Barry's mother herself. We learned a little more about Barry than in the film. When he first went to Visions, his "buddies" were taking him there to get his mind off his breakup with his girlfriend of four years. She wondered if Barry was actually gay, but said that it didn't matter. What mattered is that what happened to him was a terrible crime, one of bigotry and hate, and so she and her husband have taken it upon themselves to speak when and wherever they can to combat closed minds. Good for them.

There were only two things that angered me. One, the person that killed Barry will be eligible for parole in less than thirteen years. The manner in which he killed Barry should have garnered him life imprisonment without the possibility of parole - at best. Also, the instigator of his death, Justin, is up for parole very soon. If not for his pressuring, the little idiot (Glover?) that killed Barry probably wouldn't have done it. If the movie showed that scene correctly, as it actually happened, then Justin is just as responsible for Barry's death as Glover, and should be in prison for a very long time.

*Added 9/29/06 - According to the October 10th, 2006 issue of The Advocate, "Justin Fisher...was [released] to a halfway house [last month]. Fisher will be out of custody entirely October 24."

He didn't spend nearly enough time for this crime. How horribly, horribly sad.

A Heartbreaking Gem

I imagine this film wasn't released theatrically because of obvious parallels to the Oscar winning "Boy's Don't Cry". This film, when it works--and it does frequently, goes deeper into its subject matter than that film. The major theme of the film is men's uncomfortability with homosexuality...or is it just sexuality in general that has these young men so defensive? The film provides no easy answers.
There are some flaws in the screenplay (especially when the themes are layed out to us with a capital T), and some weak acting, but it truly soars when Lee Pace and Troy Garity have scenes together. Garity reminds one of a young Nicolas Cage, and has the talent to back it up and Pace is simply amazing. His Calpernia is so tender and lovely and unself-conscious it only makes sense that Garity's character would fall for her. These two actors move together with a relaxed ease that is both romantic and sexy. You truly want them to wind up together.
This film is a tragedy however. These two enter the confused labyrinth that is a young man's sexual identity...and only one makes it out. The effect is genuinely heartbreaking.